Intense gales reaching speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in around 90,000 properties without power and led agencies to halt in excess of 100 aircraft departures, based on local media.
The winds are affecting the entire South Island and southern sections of the North Island, per the national weather agency.
New Zealand authorities have issued infrequent high-level wind alerts - the most severe warning - in core zones such as Canterbury and Wellington.
People have been encouraged to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and prepare for more power and communication outages.
Extensive Destruction and Crisis Response
The power cut appears to be affecting households mostly in the southern region, though officials state that power was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have reported that in some places homes have lost their roofs, whereas trees and electricity poles have been brought down by the gusts.
Across Wellington, a man was killed after being struck by a tree branch at a frequent walking route on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a individual was swept into oncoming traffic on a thoroughfare by a strong gust of wind, in a incident that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel in and out of the city have been halted as a result of the gusts, whereas some roads and libraries are not operating.
Meanwhile authorities in Canterbury have declared a crisis declaration, to facilitate disaster response efforts.
Labor Protests Alongside Extreme Conditions
The powerful gales on today coincide with numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been described as a "significant labor action", requesting improved salaries and workplace environments.
Yet the extreme weather has pressured them to change various scheduled activities, with various open-air gatherings shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Like conditions are also sweeping the neighboring country, ushering in a period of extreme heat to the country's outback.
Authorities have declared burning restrictions for fear of forest fires.
